Adults reading these statistics might now be thinking, "Welcome to the real world!" "Life is stressful!" "Wait until you have a family to take care of!" "What do kids really know about stress?"
Indeed, life is stressful. Without stress, we wouldn't be living. After all, stress is merely the way our bodies react to changes, both internal and external. Stress also includes the way we go on to think about our bodies' reactions and how we process those changes. Those thought processes may go on to produce more stress. Whether change is positive or negative, it will cause stress. How we handle that stress can determine whether or not we live happily and peacefully or in a continual "stressed-out" state.
Bodily reactions caused by stress are usually sweaty plams, fast heartrate, churning stomach and the like. These reactions can vary in intensity. Positive changes in our lives can cause these symptoms just as easly as negative changes. If we experience many changes (both positive and negative) in a short amount of time, we may find ourselves in an ongoing state of stress. We may be more sensitive physically (to illness) and emotionally (to depression, irritability, sleep problems, etc.).
So, in a time when adults experience sleep deprivation, road rage, heart disease, various cancers, workplace anger and more as a result of ongoing stress, there may not be much sympathy for those young people who have yet to enter the "real world." However, just because we haven't learned how to handle stress properly, why shouldn't we start helping our teens do so? Perhaps in recognizing the phrase "stressed-out" as a cry for help rather than an irritating complaint, we can help our youth learn to cope before adulthood (and perhaps teach ourselves a thing or two in the process).
Although the Reuters article focuses on parental and societal expectations as a main cause for teenage stress, multiple additional causes may also be considered. Whether or not adults think of teens as living in the "real world," many teens face the same worries as adults compounded with the additional teenage problems of changing hormones, peer pressure, and those expectations mentioned earlier. Like adults, teens worry about finances, family, friends, world issues, their future, their past ("mistakes") and more. The causes of stress are as varied as teenagers themselves, and their worries shouldn't be brushed aside simply because of their ages.
What can teens do about stress? The most important tool is a support system. A teen should have at least one adult in whom to confide. Hopefully, it's a parent, but if your teen feels she cannot talk to you right now, make an effort to find someone who can be there for her until she feels more comfortable. Does your teen have friends? If not, how can you help him or her? Maybe you'll have to look outside of school to help your teen find friends -- through church, outside activities, etc.
Beyond a support system, teenagers can learn about stress management and many stress-relieving techniques, from exercise to proper nutrition to meditation. Many of these techniques may be found in the Self-Help section of this site. A great book to take a look at is the Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis, et. al.
If you are a teen reading this article, know that you have the absolute right not to feel stressed-out on a daily basis. You can learn techniques to help yourself cope. More importantly, if you feel that stress is getting out of control, talk to someone. There is some adult in your life right now who will listen. Remember, you deserve to be good to yourself.
